1 dead, 7 hospitalized following possible overdose at LA jail

LOS ANGELES - A man is dead and seven others hospitalized following possible overdoses at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday. 

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the jail located at 400 E. Bauchet Street around 8:40 a.m. on a report of possible overdoses involving an "unknown white powder," officials said. 

The inmates were in the reception area, in one of the holding cells used to keep them until they are transported to court or other facilities, when they began showing symptoms of overdose. 

One inmate, described as a man in his 30s, died at the scene. Seven others were transported to the hospital. The inmates range in age from 18 to 68, officials with the sheriff's department said. 

"Deputies administered Narcan and did CPR to all the inmates involved," said detective Michael Modica with the LA County Sheriff's Department, which is in charge of the facility. 

The jail was immediately put on lockdown. Hazmat teams were on scene along with firefighters and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, authorities said searches have been increased at each jail facility as well as housing facilities. K9s trained to sniff out narcotics are also used to aid in searches. 

Overdoses account for 20% of county jail deaths, according to reports presented to the LA County Supervisors. The board has demanded more accountability from the sheriff's department when it comes to drugs entering the prison system, especially the highly toxic fentanyl. 

Officials said they also hope to get more body scanners - like the ones at the airport - to help further crackdown on narcotics being brought in and distributed in facilities.